The British actor who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy has
been banned from attending offical fan conventions, it has been claimed.

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David Prowse appeared in Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi playing baddie Darth VaderPhoto: HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY

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Actor David Prowse as Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back

By Rebecca Lefort

9:48AM BST 17 Jul 2010

Friends of David Prowse, 75, say he is being punished after “annoying” George Lucas, the films’ creator.

Prowse’s website said he could not attend a forthcoming conference or any "Lucasfilm associated event", adding: "The only thing I've been told is I've burnt too many bridges between Lucasfilm and myself.

"Sincere apologies to all my fans who were hoping to meet with me - I shall miss you too."

Prowse appeared in Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi playing baddie Darth Vader, while James Earl Jones provided Vader's voice.

The Sun newspaper reported that Lucas promised 6ft 6in Prowse he would be seen and heard at the end of the trilogy when Vader's mask is removed, but that in the end another actor was used, upsetting Prowse.